Why We Celebrate "Loving Day"

An interracial marriage pioneer gives us a new reason to get passionate.

Marriage Pioneer" title="Mildred Loving: Interracial Marriage Pioneer" />If you're going to become a pioneer for interracial marriage, it's helpful to have the last name of Loving.

But Mildred Loving didn't like calling attention to herself for that—or the fact that she and her white husband changed history when they took their fight to make love colorblind all the way to the Supreme Court.

According to a Yahoo! News story, the couple from rural Virginia met when she was 11, he 17. When she got pregnant, at 18, they married, not realizing it was illegal—until they were arrested. They eventually pled guilty to charges of "cohabiting as man and wife, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth," in accordance with a Virginia law banning interracial marriage.

Loving passed away Friday. But despite wanting to be remembered "not as a hero—just a bride," she'll be feted each June 12, the anniversary of the date the Supreme Court overturned the Virginia Law, now known as Loving Day.

It's a good time to kick up your heels in celebration of mixed-race couples everywhere. Or, hell, with a holiday by that name, make it what V-day ought to be, and celebrate with an extra roll in the hay.